David Warren Cuddy graduated from the original Anchorage High School in the 1930s. David was a leader and an athlete as well as an avid outdoorsman.  He was student body and class president, editor of the yearbook, a member of the Honor Society, and lettered in sports every year while attending high school.  He later went on to study law at Stanford University before volunteering for the army during World War II.  A member of the elite special unit known as the “Devil’s Brigade,” the precursor to the Green Berets, Lt. Cuddy defended the United States at Attu and Kiska Islands, on the Aleutian chain – the only locations where enemy forces were known to have landed on United States soil.  He later served in Italy where he was killed in a mine blast in February of 1944.  Mr. Cuddy’s family has established this scholarship award to honor the memory of David Cuddy.

Each year, a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and student leadership will be the recipient of the David Warren Cuddy Scholarship Award.  Candidates will have exhibited their leadership skills through their role in student government, as a yearbook editor, an athlete, or in some other school-wide capacity.

The award shall be used for the purpose of paying for college tuition, books, housing, or other college expenses and will be paid to the winner’s college or university on behalf of the winner.  The award must be used for the school year immediately following graduation.  The student must notify the superintendent as to which school they will be attending by submitting verification of attendance.  In the event that, after the initial award, the winner elects not to attend college or a university, the superintendent may select an alternate for the award.

Award Amount – $2,000 non-renewable

Qualifications

Applicants must be eligible to graduate with their class and plan to attend a four-year college or university.  The winner will be selected each year based on their letter of application and two letters of recommendation.  The superintendent will make the final selection based on the criteria established by the award:  75 percent for grade point average and 25 percent for demonstrated leadership.

Application Procedures

Letters of application from the student detailing his or her academic achievement and evidence of leadership should be addressed to the superintendent.  The letter should be no longer than three pages.  Applicants should also attach two letter of recommendation from individuals (not family members) who know the student well and can speak to their academic and leadership attainment.

Deadlines

Submit applications to the Career Resource Center at the student’s school (or principal for alternative schools) by March 18, 2011.  Each school will establish a committee, including the principal, to review the applicants and will forward the top three choices from each school to the superintendent’s office.  Applications must be received by the Superintendent’s office by April 1, 2011.